Enteral Nutrition during Non-Invasive Ventilation for Children with Acute Bronchiolitis Admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Is Well Tolerated and Associated with Reduced Respiratory Rate

Purpose: Recently published data from our group suggest nutrition during non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is well tolerated without incidence of aspiration-related respiratory failure. Yet, potential therapeutic benefits of enteral nutrition during NIV have not been determined. We sought to assess for differences in respiratory rate and clinical outcomes in children receiving enteral nutrition during NIV. Methods: We performed a prospective, observational cohort study in children 1 month - 2 years of age admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for acute bronchiolitis in a free-standing, tertiary pediatric referral center from …